Device for coupling two storage and/or transport means with a cleaning device

ABSTRACT

A device and method are provided for coupling two storage and/or transport units with a cleaning device. In one cleaning position, either before or after a transfer process, an area is provided between two connecting branches and at least one part of front flaps of two closing valves and the connecting valves which is embodied as a cleaning chamber enclosed on all sides, and which can be sealed with respect to the outside atmosphere and product area. The cleaning space is protected against unintentional opening as a result of at least partial locking of the connecting branches with respect to each other. Cleaning occurs using the cleaning fluid without any danger of contamination be it from transfer product and/or the atmosphere.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

An apparatus couples two storage and/or transport units, for instance inthe form of vessels, containers, tubes and/or the like, for a transferof a product from a first storage and/or transport unit having a firstclosing flap in a first pipe socket at a first end and in an activeconnection with at least one shaft into a second storage and/ortransport unit having a second closing flap in a second pipe socket at asecond end and in an active connection with the at least one shaft. Theclosing flaps are movable from a closed position, wherein the firstclosing flap tightly closes the first storage and/or transport unit offfrom the atmosphere at the first end, the second closing flap tightlycloses the second storage and/or transport means off from the atmosphereat the second end and wherein the two closing flaps and/or the two pipesockets are movable relative to one another into a cleaning position.The two closing flaps and/or the two pipe sockets are spaced from oneanother upon limitation of a cleaning space connectable to a cleaningdevice. Upon actuation of the at least one shaft into an open position,the closing flaps lie on one another. At least one flow-through openingfor the product is open from the first storage and/or transport unitinto the second storage and/or transport unit. The flaps are movablefrom the open position into the cleaning position upon actuation of theat least one shaft as well as into the closed position.

Such an apparatus is disclosed, for example, by DE 195 20 409 C1,whereby the cleaning device comprises a blower and extraction devicethat enables a cleaning of the closing flaps with a gas before and/orafter a product transfer or refilling event is to be accomplished withthe apparatus. A seal is thereby utilized that, given a spacing of theclosing flaps of, preferably, less than 15 mm, disadvantageously sealsthe space situated between the closing flaps, i.e. the impact chamber,off from the outside, with the exception of the regions of the bearingshells thereof. Given the known apparatus, there is the risk ofcontamination of both the product to be refilled as well as of theatmosphere. Due to leakage, a cleaning of the impact chamber is alsoimpossible.

A sealing of the impact chamber from at least a part of the closingflaps is disclosed by DE 299 15 973 An interspace between the closingflaps that is sealed relative to the impact chamber thereby assures thatdust that is potentially stirred up due to a scrubbing cannot proceedonto the end face regions, and the extraction cross-section for acleaning gas, protective atmosphere and/or the like together withparticles to be removed is made smaller at the same time, so that thevolume stream for the extraction is increased and a greater extractionpower is created.

GB Letters Patent 888,541 also discloses a device for coupling twocontainers, whereby the pipe sockets are rotatable relative to oneanother, so that a bayonet closure is locked or unlocked and, at thesame time, the closing flaps are forced from the closed position intothe open position or from the open position into the closed position byturning the pipe sockets relative to one another, so that the lockingposition coincides with the open position. Such a lock is particularlydisadvantageous in that the closing flaps can unintentionally detachfrom one another while changing from the closed position into the openposition or vice versa, also due to the employment of only one bayonetclosure. Moreover a cleaning before and/or after a refilling event inthe open position is not possible in a locked condition in order toavoid contamination of the atmosphere and/or the product to be refilled.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to improve anapparatus such that the disadvantages of the Prior Art are overcome,particularly such that a cleaning of the cleaning space, even in theregion of the bearing of the closing flaps, is possible withoutcontaminating the atmosphere and/or a product to be refilled. Moreover,a dependable closing of the closing flaps and/or pipe sockets relativeto one another should be assured before opening the flow-throughopening(s) for a refilling event as well as after closing theflow-through opening(s), particularly in the cleaning position.

This object is achieved by a first, essentially annular seal between thefirst closing flap and the first pipe socket, a second essentiallyannular seal between the second closing flap and the second pipe socket,a third essentially annular seal between the first pipe socket and thesecond pipe socket and a fourth essentially annular seal between thesecond pipe socket and a second shaft section that cooperates with atleast one shaft and is firmly connected to the second closing flap,whereby the first, second, third and fourth seals seal the cleaningspace off from both the atmosphere as well as the product.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view through an apparatus wherein theclosing flaps are in their open position;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1wherein the closing flaps are in their cleaning position;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a closing flap that is employable withan apparatus according to FIGS. 1 and 2; and

FIG. 4 is a partial view of a connecting ring that is employable in anapparatus according to FIGS. 1 and 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of theinvention, reference will now be made to the preferred embodimentillustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used todescribe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitationof the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations andfurther modifications in the illustrated device, and/or method, and suchfurther applications of the principles of the invention as illustratedtherein being contemplated as would normally occur now or in the futureto one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

In the disclosed embodiment, the first shaft section is a semi-axis, thesecond shaft section is connected to the second closing flap via asecond semi-axis, and the first semi-axis and the second semi-axiscomplement one another to form a full axis.

The preferred embodiment is characterized by an actuation device viawhich a safety device can be driven for changing from the closedposition into a locked position wherein the two storage and/or transportunits are sealed relative to one another and the two closing flapsand/or the two pipe sockets are firmly joined to one another. A swiveldevice can be driven for changing from the locked position into the openposition as well as from the open position into the locked position.Subsequently, the safety device can be driven for changing from thelocked position into the closed position.

The actuation device comprises a gear device with a drive shaft and atleast two output shafts, whereby the two output shafts can be addressedby the drive shaft in alternation.

The safety device has an active connection with, on the one hand, thefirst output shaft and, on the other hand, with the two pipe sockets,whereby the safety device preferably comprises a connection elementbetween the first pipe socket and the second pipe socket that can beturned around a first axis for locking the two pipe sockets relative toone another or for unlocking them, particularly via at least one bayonetclosure.

The swivel device has an active connection with, on the one hand, thesecond output shaft forming at least one shaft and, on the other hand,with at least one of the two closing flaps for turning the closing flapsaround a second axis, whereby the swivel device preferably comprises thetwo semi-axes.

The cleaning position can be approached both between the closed positionand the locked position as well as between the open position and thelocked position with closing flaps and/or pipe sockets that are at leastpartly firmly connected to one another.

The connecting element comprises at least one projection or at least onerecess and each projection or each recess of the connecting element isin firm engagement with a recess or a projection of the first pipesocket and/or of the second pipe socket in the locked position. Eachprojection or each recess of the connecting element or of the pipesocket or sockets preferably describes or describe an angle relative tothe first axis, at least in regions, in order—by turning the connectingelement around the first axis—to move the closing flaps away from oneanother, particularly between the open position and the locked positionor toward one another, particularly between the closed position and thelocked position.

The first closing flap comprises a first end face with at least onedepression and/or elevation, the second closing flap comprises a secondend face complementary with the first end face, and the two end faceslie tightly against one another, at least in the open position. Thus inthe cleaning position, the end faces are preferably sealed relative toone another in the region of the at least one depression and/orelevation, and the cleaning space is essentially annular.

The first closing flap comprises at least one first recess at its sidelying opposite the first end face and/or the second closing flapcomprises at least one second recess at its side lying opposite thesecond end face for enlarging the flow-through opening or flow-throughopenings in the open position, whereby the first recess and/or thesecond recess is or are essentially spherical segment-shaped.

In the open position, the first closing flap is at least partially inengagement with the second pipe socket and/or the second closing flap isat least partially in engagement with the first pipe socket.

The first closing flap and/or the second closing flap comprises orcomprise at least one partially annular projection, preferably twopartially annular projections lying opposite one another, concentricallyrelative to the second axis for engagement into at least one partiallyannular recess in the first pipe socket and/or in the second pipesocket.

Alternatively, the first closing flap and/or the second closing flapcomprises or comprise at least one partially annular channel, preferablytwo partially annular channels lying opposite one another,concentrically arranged relative to the second axis for engagement intoat least one partially annular recess in the first pipe socket and/or inthe second pipe socket.

The second axis resides essentially perpendicular to the first axis.

The first closing flap is a component part of a passive valve and thesecond closing flap is a component part of an active valve, whereby thesecond semi-axis is preferably firmly connected to the second outputshaft.

The cleaning device comprises a blower and extraction device forflooding the cleaning space with a fluid cleaning agent.

The first, second, third and/or fourth seals is or are resistant toacids and/or bases.

The cleaning space acts as sluice.

The cleaning space can be brought to a pressure below atmosphericpressure and/or the pressure in the region of the flow-through opening.

A sensing unit for determining the product concentration in the cleaningspace, particularly in an active connection with the actuation device.

Given downward crossing of a selectable limit value of the definedproduct concentration, the actuation device can be enabled for drivingthe closing flap into the closed position.

In a cleaning position both before as well as after a refilling event, aregion between the pipe sockets and at least a part of the end faces ofthe closing flaps, what is referred to as the impact chamber, that isimplemented for the first time as a cleaning space closed on all sidesthat is sealed relative to the outside atmosphere as well as relative tothe product space and that is potentially protected against beingunintentionally broken open due to an at least partial locking of thepipe sockets relative to one another, can be cleaned, even with acleaning fluid, without risk of contamination, whether of the product tobe refilled and/or of the atmosphere. Particularly given utilization ofa single actuation device, further, a safety device and a swivelingdevice can be addressed in alternation, i.e. not at the same time, sothat, after coupling two containers, the pipe sockets are firmly lockedto one another via the swiveling device by, for example, turning a driveshaft over 90° upon interim formation of the cleaning space, so that aparting of the pipe sockets is impossible in the cleaning position,whereas the closing flaps in the pipe sockets see to a tight closure ofthe of the pipe sockets, and, by subsequently turning the drive shaftfrom 90° to 180°, the closing flaps are turned into their open positionvia the swiveling device in order to enable a refilling event. Byturning the drive shaft back from 180° to 90°, the closing flaps arereturned into their closed position, and, by turning from 90° to 0°, thecleaning space is opened, cleaned in the interim, and the pipe socketsare subsequently separated from one another.

As can be derived from FIG. 1, the apparatus 1 comprises a first pipesocket 10 at a first container (not shown) that, as soon as the firstcontainer is coupled to a second container (not shown), is seated in asecond, bipartite pipe socket 100, 100′ of the second container uponinterposition of a connecting element or connecting ring 2. Two valves20, 120 are in turn seated in the two pipe sockets, 10, 100, 100′, wherethe first valve 20 can be passive and the second valve 120 can beactive, so that only the active valve 120 can be actively actuated uponutilization of a gear device 300 for opening or closing flow-throughopenings 200, 200′ from the first container to the second container.

In the cleaning position shown in FIG. 2, the second pipe socket 100,100′ embraces the connecting ring 2 that in turns attaches the firstpipe socket 10, so that the pipe sockets 10, 100, 100′ cannot moverelative to one another. For this purpose, the connecting ring 2 isprovided with two recesses 3 that lie opposite one another and extendalong the inside circumference and into which a respective projection 11of the first pipe socket 10 can engage, whereby each projection 11extends at least partially in curved form along the outsidecircumference of the first pipe socket 10, as shown in FIG. 4.

The first pipe socket 10 also comprises two recesses 12 lying oppositeone another into which the passive valve 20 engages in the lockedposition according to FIG. 2. The passive valve 20 in turn comprises aflap 21 having an end face 22 in which a depression 23 is formed and aspherical segment-shaped recess 24 at the side lying opposite the endface 22. Further, the passive valve 20 is sealed relative to the firstpipe socket 10 by means of a flap seal 25 and is firmly connected to afirst shaft section comprising a first semi-axis 26. Finally, thepassive valve 20 also comprises two projections 27 for engagement intothe recesses 12.

In an analogous way, the active valve 120 is seated in the second pipesocket 100 by engagement into two recesses 102 lying opposite oneanother. The active valve 120 in turn comprises a flap 121 with an endface 122, from which a projection 127 is salient, and a sphericalsegment-shaped recess 124 at the side lying opposite the end face 122.The active valve 120 is also sealed relative to the second pipe socket100 upon utilization of a flap seal 125. The flap 121 of the activevalve 120 is firmly designed with a second shaft section comprising asecond semi-axis 126. Further, projections 127 are offered forengagement into the recesses 102 according to FIG. 2 of the active valve120. Moreover, a further flap seal 129 is provided between the two flaps21, 121 in the region of the depression 23 into which the elevation 128according to FIG. 2 partly engages.

An alternative active valve 120′ is shown in FIG. 3. The active valve120′ thereby comprises a flap 121′ with a planar end face 122′ and aspherical segment-shaped recess 124′ at its side lying opposite the endface 122′. Further, the flap 121′ is provided with a semi-axis 126′ atone side, two semicircular projections 127 proceeding concentrically tothe longitudinal axis thereof.

According to FIG. 2, the gear device 300 comprises a drive shaft 301with a disk 302 and a plug 303 that attaches in alternating fashion at adisk 304 with a recess 305 for driving a first output shaft 306 or at adisk 314 with a recess 315 for driving a second output shaft 316. Thefirst output shaft 306 is also connected to a disk 307 that attaches atthe connecting ring 2 for turning the latter, whereas the second outputshaft 316 merges into the first semi-axis 126 for actuating the activevalve 120.

In the cleaning position shown in FIG. 2, finally, a cleaning space 400closed at all sides is provided between the pipe sockets 10, 100 as wellas the flaps 21, 121. For sealing the cleaning space 400 off from theatmosphere, a first ring seal 401 is arranged between the two pipesockets 10, 100 and a second ring seal 402 is arranged between thesecond pipe socket 100 and the second output shaft 316. A seal relativeto the product space, in contrast, is assured by the flap seals 25 and125. Moreover, there is a seal relative to an interspace between theclosing flaps 21, 121 as a result of the further flap seal 129. Thecleaning space 400 can also be connected to a cleaning device (notshown) that in turn comprises a blower and extraction device.

The apparatus whose structure has just been described with reference tothe Figures works, for example, in the following way.

First, the first pipe socket 10 together with the passive valve 20 isinserted into the second pipe socket 100, 100′ as well as the connectingring 2 until the first pipe socket 10 comes to lie on the second pipesocket 100.

When the drive shaft 301 is then turned in the direction of the arrow Ain FIG. 2, the plug 303 engages into the recess 305 in the disk 304 inorder to transmit the rotary motion onto the first output shaft 306.Upon utilization of the disk 307, the first output shaft 306 thencompels a rotation of the connecting ring 2 in the direction of arrow Bin FIG. 2, so that the projections 11 of the first pipe socket 10 engageinto the corresponding recesses 3 of the connecting ring, which leads toa locking of the pipe sockets 10, 100, 100; in the fashion of a bayonetclosure. Due to the curvature of the projections 11 of the first pipesocket 10, a lowering of the first pipe socket 10 on the second pipesocket 100 simultaneously occurs given the rotation of the connectingring 2 in the direction of the arrow B, so that the cleaning space 400arises. As shown in FIG. 2, thus cleaning space is sealed off both fromthe atmosphere as well as from the region between the end faces 22, 122in the cleaning device sealed by the flap seal 129. The cleaning space400 can then be flooded with a cleaning gas or a cleaning fluid in orderto remove residual contaminants risk-free before a refilling eventwithout contaminating the sealed end face regions. An acid and/or basecan thereby be employed for cleaning on the basis of a suitableselection of the material of the seals 25, 125, 129, 401 and 402, whichinsure a tight closing of the cleaning space 400. After the cleaning,the drive shaft 301 is turned farther upon simultaneous, further lockingand further lowering of the first pipe socket 10 relative to the secondpipe socket 100, namely until the end faces 22, 122 of the closing flaps21, 121 lies tightly against one another in the locked position.

A further rotation of the drive shaft 301 causes the plug 303 todisengage from the recess 305 and engage into the recess 315 of the disk314, so that a further rotary motion in the direction of the arrow A istransmitted onto the second output shaft 316. Given continued rotationof the drive shaft 301, a turning of the valves 20, 120 into the openposition shown in FIG. 1 occurs, whereby the projections 27 at the firstflap 21 simultaneously engage into the recesses 102 of the second pipesocket 100 and the projections 127 at the second flap 121 simultaneouslyengage into the recesses 12 of the first pipe socket, which leads to alocking of the valves 20, 120 to the pipe sockets 10, 100, 100′ thatmakes it impossible to part the valves 20, 120 from one another in theopen position. In the open position, a product (not shown) can flow fromthe first container into the second container through the flow-throughopenings 200, 200′

After the end of the product refilling, the drive shaft 301 can berotated back into its initial position, i.e. opposite the rotationalsense A in FIG. 2, whereby, via rotation of the second output shaft 316,the closing flaps 21, 121 are again turned into their respective pipesockets 10, 100 up into the locked position for sealing the containersrelative to one another. The plug 303 then again changes from the recess315 into the recess 305 in order to turn the connecting ring 2 via thefirst output shaft 306 and into the cleaning position shown in FIG. 2,wherein a renewed cleaning of the cleaning space 400 is then possible.When the initial position of the drive shaft 301 is reached, finally,the interlock is cancelled by releasing the connection between theprojections 11 and the recesses 3, so that the two containers can thenbe separated from one another in turn.

In summary, it is therefore to be pointed out that the following stagescan be successively run with the apparatus by actuating only the driveshaft 301:

1. Locking the pipe sockets 10, 100, 100′ relative to one another givensimultaneous sealing of the cleaning space 400;

2. Cleaning the sealed cleaning space 400 in the cleaning position;

3. Closing the cleaning space 400 until the locked position is reached;

4. Opening the flow-through openings 200, 200′ given simultaneouslocking of the closing flaps 21, 121 to the pipe sockets 10, 100;

5. Refilling a product from the first container into the secondcontainer;

6. Closing the flow-through openings 200, 200′ while simultaneouslyreleasing the lock between the closing flaps 21, 121 and the pipesockets 10, 100;

7. Opening the cleaning space 400 in the partially locked cleaningposition;

8. Cleaning the sealed cleaning space 400; and

9. Complete opening of the cleaning space 400 while simultaneouslyreleasing the lock between the pipe sockets 10, 100, 100′.

While a preferred embodiment has been illustrated and described indetail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to beconsidered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it beingunderstood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown anddescribed and that all changes and modifications that come within thespirit of the invention both now or in the future are desired to beprotected.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for coupling first and secondstorage and/or transport units for a transfer of a product from a firstunit into a second unit, comprising: the first unit having a firstclosing flap in a first pipe socket at a first end; the second unithaving a second closing flap in a second pipe socket at a second end;first and second shaft sections in respective active connection with thefirst and second closing flaps; the closing flaps being movable by theshaft sections from a closed position into a cleaning position, theninto an open position, and then from the open position back into thecleaning position; in the closed position the first closing flap tightlycloses the first unit off from atmosphere at said first end, the secondclosing flap tightly closes the second unit off from the atmosphere atsaid second end, and wherein at least one of the first and secondclosing flaps and the first and second pipe sockets are movable relativeto one another; in the cleaning position at least one of the first andsecond closing flaps and the first and second pipe sockets are spacedfrom one another to define a cleaning space connectible to a cleaningdevice; in the open position the closing flaps lie on one another and atleast one flow-through opening for the product is open from the firstunit into the second unit; a first substantially annular seal betweenthe first closing flap and the first pipe socket; a second substantiallyannular seal between the second closing flap and the second pipe socket;a third substantially annular seal between the first pipe socket and thesecond pipe socket; the second shaft section cooperating with a shaft; afourth substantially annular seal between the second pipe socket andsaid second shaft section of the second closing flap; and the first,second, third and fourth seals sealing the cleaning space off from boththe atmosphere as well as the product.
 2. The apparatus according toclaim 1 wherein the first shaft section comprises a first semi-axis, thesecond shaft section comprise a second semi-axis, and the firstsemi-axis and the second semi-axis complement one another to form a fullaxis.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising anactuation device via which a safety device is driven for changing fromthe closed position into a locked position wherein the first and secondunits are sealed relative to one another and at least one of the firstand second closing flaps and the first and second pipe sockets arefirmly joined to one another, and a swivel device driven for changingfrom the locked position into the open position as well as from the openposition into the locked position, and the safety device being drivenfor changing from the locked position into the closed position.
 4. Theapparatus according to claim 3 wherein the actuation device comprises agear device with a drive shaft and at least first and second outputshafts, the two output shafts being driven by the drive shaft inalternating fashion.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein thesafety device has an active connection with the first output shaft andwith the two pipe sockets, the safety device comprising a connectionelement between the first pipe socket and the second pipe socket that isturned around a first axis for locking the two pipe sockets relative toone another or for unlocking them.
 6. The apparatus according to claim 5wherein the connection element comprises at least one of a projectionand a recess, and the at least one of the projection and recess of theconnection element being in firm engagement with one of a recess and aprojection of at least one of the first pipe socket and of the secondpipe socket in the locked position, at least one of each projection andeach recess of the at least one of the connecting element and the pipesocket describing an angle relative to the first axis at least inregions in order to move the closing flaps away from one another ortoward one another.
 7. The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein theswivel device has an active connection with the second output shaftforming at least one shaft and with at least one of the two closingflaps for turning the closing flaps around a second axis, where theswivel device comprises first and second semi-axes.
 8. The apparatusaccording to claims 7 wherein the second axis resides substantiallyperpendicular to the first axis.
 9. The apparatus according to claim 1wherein the cleaning position is approached both between the closedposition and the locked position as well as between the open positionand the locked position with at least one of the closing flaps and thepipe sockets that are at least partly firmly connected to one another.10. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first closing flapcomprises a first end face with at least one of a depression and anelevation, the second closing flap comprises a second end facecomplementary with the first end face, and the two end faces lie tightlyagainst one another at least in the open position, and in the cleaningposition the end faces being sealed relative to one another in a regionof the at least one of the depression and the elevation, and thecleaning space being substantially annular.
 11. The apparatus accordingto claim 1 wherein the first dosing flap comprises at least one firstrecess at its side tying opposite a first end face, and the secondclosing flap comprises at least one second recess at its side lyingopposite a second end face for enlarging the flow-through opening oropenings in the open position, and at least one of the first recess andthe second recess is substantially a segment-shaped spherical shape. 12.The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein in the open position, thefirst closing flap is at least partially in engagement with the secondpipe socket and the second closing flap is at least partially inengagement with the first pipe socket.
 13. The apparatus according toclaim 12 wherein at least one of the first closing flap and the secondclosing flap comprises at least one partially annular projectionconcentric relative to a second axis for engagement into at least onepartially annular recess in at least one of the first pipe socket and inthe second pipe socket.
 14. The apparatus according to claim 12 whereinat least one of the first closing flap and the second closing flapcomprises at least one partially annular channel concentric relative toa second axis for engagement into at least one partially annular recessin at least one of the first pipe socket and in the second pipe socket.15. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first closing flap isa component part of a passive valve and the second closing flap is acomponent part of an active valve and a second semi-axis is firmlyconnected to the second output shaft.
 16. The apparatus according toclaim 1 wherein the cleaning device comprises a blower and extractiondevice for flooding the cleaning space with a fluid cleaning agent. 17.The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first, second, third andfourth seals are resistant to at least one of acids and bases.
 18. Theapparatus according to claim 1 wherein the cleaning space acts as asluice.
 19. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the cleaningspace is brought to a pressure which is at least one of belowatmospheric pressure and a pressure in a region of the flow-throughopening.
 20. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a sensing unitis provided for determining product concentration in the cleaning space.21. The apparatus according to claim 20 wherein given downward crossingof a selectable limit value of the defined product concentration, theactuation device is enabled for driving the closing flap into the closedposition.
 22. An apparatus for coupling first and second units for atransfer of a product from a first unit into a second unit, comprising:the first unit having a first closing flap in a first pipe socket; thesecond unit having a second closing flap in a second pipe socket, saidsecond closing flap having a shaft section; the closing flaps beingmovable from a closed position into a cleaning position, then into anopen position, and then from the open position back into the cleaningposition; in the closed position the first closing flap tightly closesthe first unit off from atmosphere, the second closing flap tightlycloses the second unit off from the atmosphere; in the cleaning positionat least one of the first and second closing flaps and the first andsecond pipe sockets are spaced from one another to define a cleaningspace connectible to a cleaning device; in the open position the closingflaps lie on one another and at least one flow-through opening for theproduct is open from the first unit into the second unit; a firstsubstantially annular seal between the first closing flap and the firstpipe socket; a second substantially annular seal between the secondclosing flap and the second pipe socket; a third substantially annularseal between the first pipe socket and the second pipe socket; a fourthsubstantially annular seal between the second pipe socket and saidsecond shaft section of the second closing flap; and the first, second,third and fourth seals sealing the cleaning space off from both theatmosphere as well as the product.